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The J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) Program "BridgeUSA" allows participants to transfer between two J-1 programs (i.e. two different universities or research institutions authorized by the US Department of State to host in the J-1 category) if: 

• J-1 Exchange Visitor is in active status and maintains that status throughout the transfer process. Transfers are not possible after an end date or in the grace period;
• Transfer occurs within the maximum time limitation allowed by the specific J-1 category;
• Transfer occurs within the same J-1 category (i.e. J-1 Research Scholar to J-1 Research Scholar) with the same/similar program objective.

Note: An EV who has initiated a waiver application of the 212(e) requirement should contact an A/RO to determine the possible impact on transfer eligibility.

Transfer-In (from another J-1 Program Sponsor to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½±)

A J-1 Exchange Visitor who intends to transfer from another J-1 program sponsor to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½± should first review the general eligibility criteria and contact the CISP with any questions. The CISP will evaluate all requests to decide on transfer eligibility. To initiate the Transfer-In to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½±, the following steps must be completed well in advance of the expected start date.

• Prospective Exchange Visitor (EV) must work with ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½± academic department to determine appropriate J-1 Program start date and duties.
• Department (Hiring Manager or Dept Admin) should provide supporting documentation to the Center for International Services and Programs (CISP) determine feasibility of transfer.
• Prospective Transfer-In should complete the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½± J-1  form with a A/RO of their current J-1 Program. 
• ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½± academic department (Hiring Manager or Dept Admin) should initiate a J-1 Sponsorship Request through the Scholar Portal and upload all supporting documents
• After all items have been submitted, the CISP will review the request. 
• Once current J-1 program sponsor agrees to the Transfer Out, they will schedule the release of the EV's J-1 record to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½± on the agreed upon ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½± start date. The date of transfer should be the same day as the appointment start date at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½±. There can be no lapse. 
• CISP will be able to issue a new Form DS-2019 once the previous sponsor releases the SEVIS record.*

*ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½± will not have access to the Exchange Visitor's SEVIS record and cannot issue a new DS-2019 form until the date of transfer out from the previous hosting J-1 Program. After the date of transfer, the EV's current program sponsor will no longer have access to their J-1 record and ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½¿ª½± will become the J-1 program sponsor.